Over the past few months, we have been hearing on the radio, reading articles in the papers and on tabloids, of the recent kidnaps resulting in rape and tragic murder of the victims, sighting examples like the Entebbe murders, the murder of Susan Magara and the latest being the story of a one Brinah Nalule 22, a student of YMCA Buwambo campus who was kidnapped, raped and killed.
A keen observation has shown that females especially “campus babes” are the easiest targets for these beasts to prey on. Kidnappers take these hostages for various reasons, the biggest being to collect ransom from whoever is in charge of the victim. Having received the ransom money, they go ahead and kill the victims. It is very hard to find an honest kidnapper today.
Campusers have in the instance become the easiest “catch” for the kidnappers. From taxis to parties, the kidnappers trail their victims for quite a while and study their behavioural patterns, they know where, how, when and with whom you hang out. Being a weaker sex, this makes it easy for them to plot and execute thereon.
Most of these female victims don’t pay keen heed to their surroundings, a mistake that has strengthened the vice; it is to this effect, key to observe the slightest details of every place. Remember it all starts with you. In this era where girls think love is easy to find, victims are lured by people they meet online. Please note that most of these profiles are fake and this happens to be one of the easiest avenues for the kidnappers to get to their victims.
Misunderstandings and disagreement amongst campusers, some over money others over boyfriends has increased the rate of kidnap and mysterious murders in the past.
Unemployment cannot be left unspoken of. Some of the kidnappers are serial in nature and have devised methods and tactics like fake job interviews that interest campusers. Before going to meet any one for random interviews, be sure the company that advertised is authentic. Carrying out a little research will cost you less than your life would.
What to do;
At all times if out of public vicinity, leave your GPS tracking activated. This makes it easy for the police to monitor the location of your device and most probably narrow down on the radius of the kidnappers. It is key to move with a trusted friend or at least inform one of your friends of your whereabouts, this makes tracking you easy.
With social media having its toll on us, especially the females, keep information of your current location and activities to only a limited range of your circle mates because some of the kidnappers cyber-stalk their victims until they are captured, much as it is good to post that you are at Cayenne for the weekend, it is also an easy way for your kidnappers to track you down. Also avoid amongst others free drinks and rides. The kidnappers can lace the drink or drug you in the disguise of a free ride.
If kidnapped, remember not to send back so much resistance to your captor, it is better to stay alive than to be dead. Also try to establish a relationship with your captor, play along. This buys you more time as the police try to find you.
Lastly, I would like to convey my condolences to all those campuses that have lost their students to the vice and urge each to remain cautious.
By Raymond Amumpaire
